Planning Policy and Implementation Manager(P00186)Salary up to £67,431pa37 hours per week (hybrid working)About the role:We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated professional to be the driving force behind ‘Our Local Plan’ that will need to balance the needs of our existing communities whilst meeting our future need. In this pivotal role you will also be central to the function and success of the Planning Service as a whole.Reporting to the Assistant Director (Planning) you will lead our planning policy and implementation team and manage the delivery of the planning policy function and associated planning projects.You will provide professional planning advice to senior officers and Members on all aspects of planning policy, related topics and projects. You will help the Borough continue to be a vibrant, thriving place to live and work. This is a hugely rewarding post, as you willlead this part of the planning service through its continued development and make a significant contribution to the future shape of the borough.This requires a strong background in planning policy focusing on development plan preparation through to adoption.You will need to draw from your technical knowledge andunderstanding to keep driving the service forward and deliver Our Local Plan.You must be an excellent manager, capable of motivating a high performing team to ensure that key performance targets, indicators and business plan objectives are met.You will also need to be a dynamic and highly motivated individual, with experience and knowledge of planning policy within local government, and the ability and confidence to work strategically.About us:Welwyn Hatfield includes the two towns of Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield and encompasses a significant rural area which is designated as Green Belt.This creates a vibrant mix of opportunities and developments including major brownfield re-development within the main towns, urban extensions delivering new homes and jobs, to rural agricultural development as well as conservation and heritage work.With a strong legacy of planning principles embedded within our area from the Garden City and New Towns movements, the postholder will have a key role to play in delivering major projects as well as helping to make sure our planning service is working in a modern, efficient, and effective way, with customers at is heart.You will join a forward-thinking council that puts their customers first. We know that in order to provide the best for our residents and visitors, we need to do the same for our people.We have set out to make our workplaces vibrant and happy places to be, places where our peoplefeel safe, content and valued.Our Local Plan is entering a key stage with its Regulation 18 consultation timetabled for summer 2025. The role offers the opportunity to shape and guide this new Local Plan.Shortlisted for Planning Authority of the Year 2025 at the East of England Planning Excellence Awards.Our CORE values—Collaborative, Open, Responsible, Excellent—guide everything we do.About you:This is a key management position within the department and in addition to essential management skills we are looking for someone who canlead and inspire staff in a pressured environment.We need a person with excellentinterpersonal, communication and IT skills, as well as the ability to manage a substantial budget and engage in a variety of departmental and corporate initiatives.You will have:A degree in town planning or degree in a related subject plus a post graduate planning qualification recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)Experience of professional town planning work within the planning policy field, including Development Plan / Local Plan delivery Experience of managing staff, functions, processes, and budgetsBenefits:We can offer you a unique and attractive working environment in the heart of Welwyn Garden City, flexible working arrangements, access to electric pool cars, as well as the usual Local Government benefits including pension scheme and generous annual leave allowance.If you are interested in working in anambitious authority, working with a dedicated team of officers, and helping to shape our New Town and Garden City environments, we want to hear from you.If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact Matthew Wilson Assistant Director Planning at m.wilson@welhat.gov.uk.Closing date for applications is 15 June 2025.Remote assessments will be held on 19 June 2025.Interviews will be held on 26/27 June 2025.
**Keywords**
local government, welwyn hatfield, planning, policy, hertfordshire
